So I applied to for the analyst role at Union Square Ventures, an NYC venture fund made famous by A VC. It's been three days since they posted it, and already over 400 applications have come in for the two jobs combined. It's so crazy because 4 years ago when they did this only 30 people or so applied. If anything highlights how much the web has changed in those 4 years, this would be one of them. I'm assuming that most are not serious applications, but I'm still kicking myself for not applying when I read the post 4 years ago -- I just didn't want to go to New York. Now, moving to Manhattan for a couple of years sounds fun.
Even though it was like throwing a Hail Mary, I think it was a rewarding process. It forced me to think about what they want, what I want, where I'm going. I spent hours thinking about my application, which I think I'll be able to recycle into my business school applications assuming I don't get the job. Still I'm not going to give up hope yet, as I think I would be a good fit. They want someone who can do the due diligence, research and financial analysis required, but also someone who gets their investment theses and can provoke good discussions and add value to the decision making process.
I think my letter made a pretty good case that I can do that. Assuming that they read it, because they will probably filter a good percent of applicants based on the initial screen they get from LinkedIn (USV asked for LinkedIn profile and cover letter showing your web presence) that just shows your education and work experience. I guess we'll see how respected Rice is in the Northeast! Hmm, maybe I should be worried...
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Might have to start on my (oft-discussed, much-neglected) novel again
I ended up reading Crichton's _Disclosure_ in about a 4 hour period and it almost makes me want to devote my life to being a novelist. Why? Because I'm shocked by how many discussions that book sparked. So many conversations and scenarios come nearly word-for-word from that book. Discussions from the teenage roundtable I did for the News Journal back in the day to Criminal Law in law school. As a novel, it was incredibly influential on pop culture. Reading it made me feel like I was surrounded by these sexual harassment discussions all over again.
The book is no literature masterpiece. But it consistently trickled down time-and-time again into pop culture discussions. Now that's impact.
The book is no literature masterpiece. But it consistently trickled down time-and-time again into pop culture discussions. Now that's impact.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Reading Disclosure
Reading Michael Crichton's Disclosure today and enjoying it so far. I never got around to reading this or seeing the movie. After I read it, I think I'll get the movie to show the wife.
It will be a good discussion point for political correctness in the US. So I can cross something off the cultural disconnect list. I sometimes want to tell a story and then realize that I can't tell the story because there is too much cultural backstory that I have to explain.
It will be a good discussion point for political correctness in the US. So I can cross something off the cultural disconnect list. I sometimes want to tell a story and then realize that I can't tell the story because there is too much cultural backstory that I have to explain.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Today's afternoon jog
Took the camera out with me for a jog today. It was a pretty day.
The area around me is a military complex. Now, I've already heard a story or two about foreigners who went to jail for taking pictures of the military during the dictatorship. But that's not gonna stop me! There were a ton of soldiers out today doing strategical/tactical exercises. I put my shoe up on the wall, tied my shoe, and snapped a picture from the camera next to the shoe.
This picture was not supposed to be up in the air, but I put it in here anyway.
I liked the statue.
The wife saw these photos and said, "you can't put these photos up with the trash there!" I explained to her that the reason I took the camera along for a jog was to take a picture of the burned out cars that seemed like they'd been here for years. She explained to me that these were stolen cars that get taken to chop shops, stripped of their parts, and then the thieves take the car to the side of the road and burn them. It didn't matter anyway, because they had taken all the cars away.
Something about this says "Houston" to me everytime I see it. Although this isn't a good example, there are lots of very interesting houses in my neighborhood. There's about 200 I think I'd like to take pictures of.
It was a pretty day.
The Rotary Club is everywhere.
You can't really see that there's an airforce base out in the distance.
I am currently listening to Michael Lewis' "The Big Short"
The area around me is a military complex. Now, I've already heard a story or two about foreigners who went to jail for taking pictures of the military during the dictatorship. But that's not gonna stop me! There were a ton of soldiers out today doing strategical/tactical exercises. I put my shoe up on the wall, tied my shoe, and snapped a picture from the camera next to the shoe.
This picture was not supposed to be up in the air, but I put it in here anyway.
I liked the statue.
The wife saw these photos and said, "you can't put these photos up with the trash there!" I explained to her that the reason I took the camera along for a jog was to take a picture of the burned out cars that seemed like they'd been here for years. She explained to me that these were stolen cars that get taken to chop shops, stripped of their parts, and then the thieves take the car to the side of the road and burn them. It didn't matter anyway, because they had taken all the cars away.
Something about this says "Houston" to me everytime I see it. Although this isn't a good example, there are lots of very interesting houses in my neighborhood. There's about 200 I think I'd like to take pictures of.
It was a pretty day.
The Rotary Club is everywhere.
You can't really see that there's an airforce base out in the distance.
I am currently listening to Michael Lewis' "The Big Short"
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
It's always been true
I tend to mimick the language of the people who I am around. It's been true all my life.
So now, because I speak Spanish to my wife all day, I mimick her Spanish. She has a much larger outside influence AND an incredibly vaster vocabulary, so her discretionary use of phrases changes more frequently than mine does, and thus affects mine greatly. It's a very weird feeling to be dependent on someone for all your language.
Pero bueno, anda a freir churro.
So now, because I speak Spanish to my wife all day, I mimick her Spanish. She has a much larger outside influence AND an incredibly vaster vocabulary, so her discretionary use of phrases changes more frequently than mine does, and thus affects mine greatly. It's a very weird feeling to be dependent on someone for all your language.
Pero bueno, anda a freir churro.
River se va la B?
In Argentina, soccer teams are relegated based on the average of the last 3 years, which is six seasons. Of the 20 teams in the first division, two are relegated to the second division. 17th and 18th place play 'la promoción' against the 4th and 3rd teams from the second division. Those playoffs are a two game home and home series on aggregate goals. If there is a tie, then the team that was in the first division stays in the first division.
River is in danger of being relegated in May 2011. Here is the listing:
Clausura 2010 12 points in 13 games (17.5)
Apertura 2009 21 points
Clausura 2009 27 points
Apertura 2008 14 points
-----------------------------
Clausura 2008 43 points
Apertura 2007 23 points
In 108 games, they have 140 points. That comes out to an average 1.296 points per game. That means they are safe from relegation at the end of this season (through a historical quirk, the closing of the season is in May). That leaves them tied with Huracan for 14th, which is pretty safe. Even if they get zero points for the rest of the year (if they continue at their current pace, they will get 17.5 points), that means they would still be at 1.22 this year which would avoid even the relegation playoffs unless all the bottom clubs suddenly win a bunch of games.
However, in May 2011 they lose the points from Clausura 2008 (when they were champions) and Apertura 2007. Excluding those points right now means that River has 74 points in 70 games, or 1.057 points per game. Right now, that puts them in 18th place, but just barely above Chacarita and Atletico Tucuman, who will be relegated. So, in other words, if River continues at the pace of the last two years over the next two years, they will almost definitely be relegated.
That's crazy. The funny thing is that while your average Boca fan would love it, you have to wonder if Boca management feels the same way: the Superclasico is big business.
River is in danger of being relegated in May 2011. Here is the listing:
Clausura 2010 12 points in 13 games (17.5)
Apertura 2009 21 points
Clausura 2009 27 points
Apertura 2008 14 points
-----------------------------
Clausura 2008 43 points
Apertura 2007 23 points
In 108 games, they have 140 points. That comes out to an average 1.296 points per game. That means they are safe from relegation at the end of this season (through a historical quirk, the closing of the season is in May). That leaves them tied with Huracan for 14th, which is pretty safe. Even if they get zero points for the rest of the year (if they continue at their current pace, they will get 17.5 points), that means they would still be at 1.22 this year which would avoid even the relegation playoffs unless all the bottom clubs suddenly win a bunch of games.
However, in May 2011 they lose the points from Clausura 2008 (when they were champions) and Apertura 2007. Excluding those points right now means that River has 74 points in 70 games, or 1.057 points per game. Right now, that puts them in 18th place, but just barely above Chacarita and Atletico Tucuman, who will be relegated. So, in other words, if River continues at the pace of the last two years over the next two years, they will almost definitely be relegated.
That's crazy. The funny thing is that while your average Boca fan would love it, you have to wonder if Boca management feels the same way: the Superclasico is big business.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
I never did put up pictures
I realized I never put up pictures of where I live now.
Where I'm sitting now, mate in hand. It's a beautiful autumn day outside.
Notice the self-referential nature of this picture?
Not sure why I decided two pictures was necessary.
Kitchen. I think my mother in law made the curtains the color of River on purpose. At least there's no diagonal slash across them. Actually, yesterday she was making fun of me and telling me that she thought about making them that way to see how I would react.
Where I was sitting up until about 5 minutes ago watching Barcelona play. That Leo Messi is something, isn't he? Hold your breath every time he starts dribbling.
I liked this photo because of the refracted reflection in the window. This is out our front window to the street...pretty much blocked off by green.
We have a pretty odd shaped yard. And yeah, the lawn is something less than manicured. I cut the lawn with a weedwacker (thanks Dad!). That's pretty common here, since big lawns are definitely not the norm.
The bush off in the left of the photo above.
Standing at the bush looking back at the house. I purpose put the flower in the frame. We'll call that my moment of artistry, since all the rest of these pictures were point and shoot.
Standing in the middle of the yard looking towards the garage.
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